What is the greatest concern for an unrecognized esophageal intubation?

Hypoxia: Unrecognized esophageal intubation poses a significant risk of hypoxia and potential brain damage to the patient.

- During bag-mask ventilation, the absence of chest rise does not guarantee endotracheal tube placement because air could be escaping into the esophagus, leading to gastric inflation instead of lung ventilation.

- Esophageal intubation can cause inadequate gas exchange, resulting in the patient's oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels dropping rapidly.